Camera Gimbal Mount System

ABSTRACT

A gimbal mount system is configured to a couple to a gimbal coupled to and securing a camera. The gimbal mount system includes a handle, a power source, a user interface, a mounting interface, a communication interface, and a communication bus. The mounting interface is located within an end of the gimbal mount system and includes an opening configured to receive a reciprocal mounting protrusion of the gimbal. A locking mechanism removably couples the gimbal to the gimbal mount system. The communication interface is located within the mounting interface and is configured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of the gimbal. The communication bus is coupled to the power source, user interface, and communication interface and is configured to provide power from the power source to the gimbal. The communication bus may provide instructions to the gimbal based on user input received via the user interface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/274,077, filed Dec. 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to camera gimbals, and in particular, to gimbalmount systems configured to power and control cameras and gimbalscoupled to the gimbal mount system.

Description of the Related Art

Digital cameras are increasingly used in outdoors and sportsenvironments. In these environments, digital cameras may be held by auser performing an activity or may be mounted to an object in motion. Asa result, the motion may affect the quality of the media captured by thedigital camera, causing blurry pictures, shaky footage, or otherlow-quality media. To ensure that high quality media is captured, a usermay secure a digital camera to a gimbal, a mechanical device thatincludes inertial measurement units and motors and can sense andmanipulate the orientation of the digital camera to correct formovement. However, existing gimbals may not be configured to be handheldby a user or may not be user-friendly. As such, a gimbal mount systemthat secures a gimbal and enables a user to easily hold and control thefunctions of the gimbal and/or camera is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which willbe more readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. (or “FIG.”) 1 illustrates a gimbal mount system and a gimbal,according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of the gimbal mount system,according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the gimbal mount system, accordingto one example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a handle of the gimbal mount system, according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface of the gimbal mount system,according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate close-up perspective views of a mountinginterface of the gimbal mount system, according to one exampleembodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a communicative interface between the gimbalmount system and the gimbal, according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the features of a locking collar of thegimbal mount system, according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a locking mechanism for securing the gimbalto the gimbal mount system, according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an adapter for coupling the gimbal mountsystem to various mount components within a camera mount ecosystem,according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates the gimbal mount system coupled to an extension armthat couples the gimbal, according to one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

As used herein, “gimbal” refers to a mechanical device for use with andcoupling to a camera and mounting configurations. The gimbal includes aninertial measurement unit that can sense the orientation of the cameraand a predetermined number of electronic motors (e.g., three motors)which can manipulate the orientation of the camera. This orientationcorresponds to the pitch, roll, and yaw of the camera. The gimbal can beremovably coupled to a variety of mount platforms, such as an aerialvehicle, a handheld grip (a “gimbal mount system” hereinafter), or arotating mount. Moreover, the camera can be removably coupled to thegimbal and can be held in a removable camera frame.

The gimbal can also provide a communicative interface between the cameraand a gimbal mount system, such that the gimbal mount system receivesimages and video content from the camera, and such that the camerareceives power and configuration/operating instructions from the gimbalmount system. As described below, the gimbal mount system enables forthe control of the movement of the gimbal based on, for instance, userinstructions or interactions. Such configurations beneficially enablethe camera mounted to the gimbal to capture images and video in a waybest suited to a media capture environment, the wishes of a user, andthe like.

Configuration Overview

In one embodiment, a gimbal mount system is configured to couple to agimbal configured to in turn secure a camera. The body of the gimbalmount system includes a handle, a power source, a user interface, amounting interface, a communication interface, and a communication bus.The mounting interface is located within an end of the body of thegimbal mount system and comprises an opening configured to receive areciprocal mounting protrusion of the gimbal. A locking mechanismremovably couples the gimbal to the gimbal mount system. Thecommunication interface is located within the mounting interface and isconfigured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of thegimbal. The communication bus is coupled to the power source, userinterface, and communication interface and is configured to providepower from the power source to the gimbal. The communication bus mayprovide one or more instructions to the gimbal based on user inputreceived via the user interface.

Example Camera System and Camera Controller Configuration

FIG. 1 illustrates a gimbal mount system 100 and a gimbal 102, accordingto one example embodiment. As noted above, a gimbal, such as gimbal 102,is a mechanical device that is configured to secure a camera andmanipulate the orientation of the camera along one or more axes. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, the gimbal mount system 100 is configured tocouple to the gimbal 102 and serve as a gimbal mount that can behandheld by a user. In some embodiments, the gimbal mount system 100 mayalso be configured to provide power and control instructions to thegimbal 102 and/or to the camera secured by the gimbal. In the embodimentof FIG. 1, the gimbal mount system 100 may include a power source, e.g.,a battery. The gimbal mount system 100 may provide power from the powersource to the gimbal 102 and/or the camera via a communicative interfacebetween the gimbal mount system and the gimbal. The gimbal mount system100 may also include a controller configured to provide instructions tothe gimbal 102 and/or the camera, as described below in greater detail.In order to enable a user to provide instructions to the gimbal 102and/or the camera via the controller, the gimbal mount system 100 mayinclude a user interface. The user interface can include buttons,displays, switches, or any other suitable interaction means.

To couple the gimbal 102 to the gimbal mount system 100, the gimbalmount system may include a mounting interface 104 configured to receiveand secure a mounting protrusion 106 of the gimbal. The mountingprotrusion 106 may include structural features that allow the gimbal 102to reciprocally mate with the mounting interface 104, which will bedescribed in further detail with regards to FIGS. 6-7. The gimbal mountsystem 100 may further include a securing mechanism for removablycoupling the gimbal 102 to the gimbal mount system. In some embodiments,the communicative interface between the gimbal mount system 100 and thegimbal 102 may be located within the mounting interface 104 of thegimbal mount system.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of the gimbal mount system100, according to one example embodiment. The gimbal mount system 100may serve as a handheld gimbal mount for a user, allowing the user toeasily hold the gimbal while capturing images or video with the camera.As such, the gimbal mount system 100 may have an ergonomic shape such asthe substantially cylindrical body illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.However, the shape may vary in other embodiments such that it providesan ergonomic grip for the user. The gimbal mount system 100 may becomposed of rigid materials, e.g., metal or hard plastics, that may belightweight, waterproof, and durable.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the gimbal mount system 100,according to one example embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, thegimbal mount system 100 includes a communication I/O port 300 located atthe base of the gimbal mount system (under a protective and removabledoor). In other embodiments, the I/O port 300 may be located on a sideof the gimbal mount system 100. The communication I/O port 300 mayenable a user to couple the gimbal mount system 100 to an external powersource, enabling the user to charge the power source of the gimbal mountsystem. The communication I/O port 300 may also be configured for datatransmission and may enable a user to couple the gimbal mount system 100to a computing system. In this configuration, a camera or a gimbal 102communicatively coupled to the gimbal mount system 100 through themounting interface 104 may in turn be communicatively coupled to thecomputing system via the communication I/O port 300. For instance, thisconfiguration may enable a user to transfer media files from the camerato the computing system via the communication I/O port 300 when thecamera is coupled to the gimbal, which in turn is coupled to the gimbalmount system. In some embodiments, the communication I/O port 300 mayinclude a protective cover (as illustrated in FIG. 3) that may create awaterproof or water-resistant seal or may protect the communication I/Oport from external debris.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the gimbal mount system 100, accordingto one example embodiment. In some embodiments, the gimbal mount system100 includes a kickstand 400, a handle grip 402, and a lanyard hole 404.In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the kickstand 400 may be an integratedhinging surface that may or may not sit flush with an outer surface ofthe gimbal mount system 100 in a folded configuration. In an extendedconfiguration, the kickstand 400 is flipped out and extends away fromthe surface of the gimbal mount system 100. The extended configurationmay allow a user to place the gimbal mount system 100 on a surfacewithout laying it flat against the surface or to prop the gimbal mountsystem against a surface or object. This may permit the user to continueto use the gimbal hands-free without affecting the function of thegimbal. When the kickstand 400 is not in use, the user may return thekickstand to the folded configuration, such that the kickstand no longerextends away from the surface of the gimbal mount system 100.

The handle grip 402 may be a textured area on an outer surface of thegimbal mount system 100. The handle grip 402 may provide a comfortable,ergonomic grip for the user, allowing the user to easily hold the gimbalmount system 100. In some embodiments, the handle grip 402 may becomposed of a pliable material, e.g., rubber, silicone, or any othersuitable material. The lanyard hole 404 may be configured to attach alanyard that may help secure the gimbal mount system 100 to the userwhile holding the gimbal mount system. The lanyard hole 404 may also beconfigured to attach to tethers, wristbands, or any other suitablestrap. Also illustrated in FIG. 4 is a cord 406 plugged into thecommunication I/O port 300 at the base of the gimbal mount system 100.The cord 406 may charge or provide power to the gimbal mount system 100or gimbal or may be transfer data from the gimbal mount system or gimbalto a computing system, as described with regards to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface 500 of the gimbal mount system 100,according to one example embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, theuser interface 500 includes a set of buttons 502 configured to perform avariety of functions. These functions may include but are not limitedto: powering a gimbal or camera on and off, controlling a camerashutter, selecting one or more camera or gimbal modes, tagginghighlights within media (including an indicator of a moment of interestwithin media metadata for simplified identification in post-processing),control/locking of gimbal pitch or yaw, powering a Wi-Fi function on andoff, and any other operation of a camera or a gimbal. A user may pressone or more of the buttons 502 to control a function. The buttons 502may have various behaviors, such that a short press of a button controlsa first function while a long press (press and hold) controls a secondfunction. Each button can correspond to a different camera or gimbalfunction.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the user interface 500 also includes a setof LEDs 504. The set of LEDs 504 may be configured to indicate one ormore of: an amount of battery power remaining within the gimbal mountsystem; a mode, status, or characteristic of the gimbal mount system,camera, or gimbal; or any other suitable property of the gimbal mountsystem, gimbal, and camera. The set of LEDs 504 may provide theseindications by illuminating a specific pattern or a specific number ofLEDs for a specific amount or frequency of time. For example, a numberof illuminated LEDs may correspond to a percentage of the remainingbattery life of the gimbal mount system 100. Similarly, a number of LEDsmay flash while the gimbal mount system 100 is charging to indicate theprogress of the battery charge. In addition to LEDs, the gimbal mountsystem can include other indicators or displays, such as LCDs, monitors,and the like.

FIG. 6A illustrates a close-up perspective view of a mounting interface104 of the gimbal mount system 100, according to one example embodiment.The mounting interface 104 includes recesses configured to receive thereciprocal mounting protrusion 106 of the gimbal 102. The configurationof the mounting interface 104 is such that it comprises two recesses600, 602, wherein the recesses are each substantially C-shaped and arealigned along the respective flat planes of the C-shape. The firstrecess 600 has a smaller width (width 604 of FIG. 6A) relative to thesecond C-shaped recess 602 (width 606 of FIG. 6A). In addition, thefirst recess 600 extends a first depth into the gimbal mount system 100(the depth between the front of the gimbal mount system and surface 608of FIG. 6A), and the second recess 602 extends a second depth into thegimbal mount system 100 (the depth between the front of the gimbal mountsystem and surface 610 of FIG. 6A), greater than the first depth.Increased depths may provide greater stability and support of the gimbal102 when secured to the gimbal mount system 100. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6A, the second depth is greater than the first depth, but thedepths may be equal or vice versa in other embodiments. In someembodiments, the recesses may vary in shape, given that they arestructured to reciprocally mate with the mounting protrusion 106.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the gimbal 102 describedherein. The mounting protrusion 106 of the gimbal 102 is structured suchthat the geometry is complementary to the mounting interface 104 of thegimbal mount system 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 6B, the mountingprotrusion 106 comprises two protrusions 612, 614 that are eachsubstantially C-shaped and are mated along the respective flat planes.The protrusions 612, 614 extend outward from a surface 616 of the gimbal102. In this configuration, the protrusions 612, 614 are configured tobe inserted into the recesses 600, 602 to reciprocally mate the mountinginterface 104 and the mounting protrusion 106. The first protrusion 612extends less than the second protrusion 614, accounting for thereciprocal depths of the surfaces 608 and 610 within the mountinginterface 104, respectively. Additionally, in some embodiments, themounting protrusion 106 of the gimbal 102 can have features on theprotrusions 612, 614, such as foam, rubber, any sort of padding materialor additional padding structures, to ensure a secure fit between thereciprocal recesses 600, 602 and protrusions. In the embodiment of FIG.6B, the gimbal 102 includes a communicative interface 618 configured toalign with and communicatively couple to a communicative interface (notshown) of the gimbal mount system 100, discussed in further detail withregards to FIGS. 7A and 7B. The asymmetric configuration of the mountinginterface 104 may ensure that the gimbal 102 is secured to the gimbalmount system 100 in a specific orientation, which may also ensurecorrectly alignment of the communicative interface between the gimbalmount system and the gimbal 102.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a communicative interface between the gimbalmount system 100 and the gimbal 102, according to one exampleembodiment. In the embodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B, a communication I/Oport 702 is positioned within the mounting interface 104 of the gimbalmount system 100 such that the communication I/O port is exposed withinand protruding from an inside bottom surface of the mounting interface.The communication I/O port 702 may be coupled to a communication buswithin the gimbal mount system 100. The communication bus may be coupledto the power source, the user interface, and the communicative interfaceof the gimbal mount system 100. The communication bus may provide one ormore instructions to the gimbal 102 based on user input received via theuser interface 502. The communication I/O port 702 may be positionedsuch that when a gimbal 102 is coupled to and secured to the gimbalmount system 100, the communication I/O port 702 may communicativelycouple to a communication I/O port within the gimbal, such ascommunicative interface 618 of FIG. 6. As previously mentioned, thecommunication I/O port 300 of the gimbal mount system 100 may enable auser to couple the gimbal mount system to a computing system. Throughthe communicative interface between the gimbal mount system 100 and thegimbal 102, the gimbal and/or the camera may also be communicativelycoupled to the computing system. For instance, the communicativeinterface may enable a user to transfer media files from the camera tothe computing system. In addition, the communication bus of the gimbalmount system 100 may be electrically coupled to the power source of thegimbal 102 and may act as a power bus for the gimbal. In someembodiments, the gimbal mount system 100 may include a power source,such as a battery, and may provide power from the power source to thegimbal 102 and/or camera via a power bus between the power source andthe gimbal. In some embodiments, the power bus is a communication buswith one or more power lines within the communication bus, for instancein embodiments where the communication bus is a USB Type-C bus.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, a camera coupled to agimbal can identify moments of interest within captured media based onpatterns of motion data measured during the capture of the media. As thegimbal is configured to counter such motion, the gimbal can further beconfigured to provide information across the communicative interface tothe gimbal mount system 100 describing such motion to the camera and thegimbal mount system, beneficially enabling the camera (or a mediaprocessing system that receives captured media from the gimbal mountsystem and/or camera) to identify such moments of interest without thecamera experiencing such motion itself.

In some embodiments, the gimbal mount system 100 may further include asuspension system for the communicative interface within the gimbalmount system. In the embodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the suspensionsystem is configured to enable the gimbal mount system 100 to flexiblycouple to the gimbal 102 while maintaining a communicative interfacebetween the gimbal mount system and the gimbal during movement ormisalignment of the gimbal relative to the gimbal mount system. In theembodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the suspension system may include aspring plate 704. The spring plate 704 may be inserted in front of,adjacent to, or behind the communication I/O port 702 protruding fromthe gimbal mount system 100. The spring plate 704 may include aplurality of protrusions 706 that are capable of suspending thecommunication I/O port 702 or the communication bus from a circuit orother electronic interface, or any other surfaces within the gimbalmount system 100. In the embodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the pluralityof protrusions 706 are capable of bending or flexing to account fortri-directional movement of the communicative interface between thegimbal 102 and the gimbal mount system 100, thereby beneficiallyisolating the communicative interface from vibrations or externalforces. The plurality of protrusions 706 may also be capable ofaccommodating for alignment mismatch between the gimbal 102 and thegimbal mount system 100. Such a spring plate 704 beneficially enablesthe communicative interface to flex relative to the gimbal mount system100 while maintaining the connection between the gimbal 102 and thegimbal mount system via the communicative interface. In addition, thecommunicative interface of the gimbal mount system 102 can be surroundedby a foam layer, such as foam layer 708. In some embodiments, the foamlayer 708 may serve as a spacer between the communication I/O port 702and the mounting interface 104, may help to absorb vibration or externalforces, or may establish a waterproof or water-resistant seal betweenthe communicative interface and the outside surface of the gimbal mountsystem. The foam layer 708 may be composed of any suitable compliantmaterial.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the features of a locking collar 802 of thegimbal mount system 100, according to one example embodiment. The gimbalmount system 100 comprises a chassis 800 and a locking collar 802configured to couple to a distal end of the chassis. In the embodimentsof FIGS. 8A and 8B, the locking collar 802 is a ring structured suchthat the inner diameter substantially sheaths the distal end of thechassis 800 when coupled. The mounting interface 104 begins at thedistal end of the chassis 800 and extends into the body of the chassis,aligning with the inner diameter of the locking collar 802 when coupledto the chassis. Surrounding the ring is a plurality of protrusions 804extending outwardly normal from a bottom surface of the locking collar802. Each protrusion 804 comprises a wedge 806 structured such that aflat edge of the wedge mates with a reciprocal ridge 808 on the chassis800. When the locking collar 802 is coupled to the chassis 800, each ofthe plurality of wedges 806 is secured underneath the ridge 808,preventing the locking collar 802 from being removed from the chassis.The chassis 800 further comprises a protruding surface 810 around theouter circumference of the chassis, which allows the locking collar 802to abut and rotate around the protruding surface while secured. Thisconfiguration allows the locking collar 802 to rotate from a lockedconfiguration to an unlocked configuration, and vice versa. In theembodiments of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the angle of rotation is 45 degrees, butit may vary in other embodiments, e.g., between 10-180 degrees. In theembodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the locking collar 802 further comprisesa plurality of ribs 812 located along the circumference of the innerring. Each rib 812 includes a rounded detent feature 814 that isconfigured to mate with a reciprocal dimple on a gimbal.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a locking mechanism for securing the gimbal102 to the gimbal mount system 100, according to one example embodiment.In the embodiment of FIG. 9A, the mounting protrusion 106 of the gimbal102 comprises a plurality of alignment features 900 and a plurality ofdetented ramps 902. The alignment features 900 may be configured toserve as guides as the mounting protrusion 106 is inserted into themounting interface 104 of the gimbal mount system 100. In someembodiments, the alignment features 900 may include padding material orpadding structures to ensure a secure fit between the mountingprotrusion 106 and the mounting interface 104. Each detented ramp 902 isstructured such that the ramp ramps up to a plateau 906 that comprises adimple 908 within in the plateau. At a lower portion of each detentedramp 902 is an opening 908 that is configured to align with the ribs 812of the locking collar 802 when the mounting protrusion 106 has beeninserted into the mounting interface 106. In this position, the gimbal102 and the gimbal mount system 100 are in the unlocked configuration,wherein the mounting protrusion 106 is reciprocally mating with themounting interface 106, but the gimbal is not secured to the gimbalmount system.

To secure the gimbal 102 to the gimbal mount system 100, a user rotatesthe locking collar 802 by 45 degrees from the unlocked configuration tothe locked configuration. As noted above, the degree of rotation mayvary in other embodiments. As the locking collar 802 is rotated, theplurality of ribs 812 slide up respective detented ramps 902 until eachrib 812 (and specifically, the rounded detent feature 814 of each rib)mates with a respective dimple 906 such that the rounded detent featureis inserted into and abuts a surface of the reciprocal dimple. Touncouple the gimbal 102 from the gimbal mount system 100, the lockingcollar 802 is rotated in the opposite direction, the plurality ofrounded detented features 814 are displaced from the respective dimples906, and the locking collar transitions to the unlocked configuration,allowing the gimbal to be removed from the gimbal mount system. Thisconfiguration of the locking mechanism allows a user to quickly securethe gimbal 102 to the gimbal mount system 100 without the use of a toolset.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an adapter 1000 for coupling the gimbalmount system 100 to various mount components within a camera mountecosystem, according to one example embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.10A, the gimbal 102 and the gimbal mount system 100 have been mounted toan extension arm 1002 via the adapter 1000. In the embodiments of FIGS.10A and 10B, the adapter 1000 includes a shaft collar 1004 that issubstantially ring-shaped and is configured to securely enclose astructure of the gimbal 102. The adapter 1000 includes an integratedhinge 1006 and lever 1008. When the lever 1008 is in an unlockedposition, a user can slide the adapter 1000 onto a shaft of a gimbal102. Once the adapter 1000 has been positioned on the shaft of thegimbal 102, the user rotates the lever 1008 to the locked position,causing the shaft collar 1004 to exert compressive forces onto the shaftof the gimbal and securing the adapter to the gimbal. In someembodiments, the adapter 1000 has a plurality of protrusions 1010protruding outward from an exterior surface of the ring that areconfigured to couple to a reciprocal mount component. In the embodimentof FIG. 10B, each protrusion 1010 comprises a hole 1012 at the distalend of the protrusion. The protrusions 1010 on the adapter 1000 caninterlock with a plurality of protrusions of a reciprocal mount suchthat the holes of each set of protrusions are aligned along an axis andsuch that a screw or pin can be inserted into the aligned holes,rotatably securing the adapter to the reciprocal mount component. Theadapter beneficially enables the gimbal mount system to couple toexisting camera mounts, such as pole mounts, head/chest/wrist mounts,bike/surfboard/car tripods, rotating tables, or any other suitablemount. It should be noted that although the adapter 1000 of FIGS. 10Aand 10B is configured to couple to the gimbal 102 itself, in otherembodiments, the adapter can be configured to securely enclose a portionof the gimbal mount system 100, which in turn is configured to couple tothe gimbal. The configuration of adapter 1000 is designed to beeasy-to-use and easy-to-remove and does not require the use of a toolset.

FIG. 11 illustrates the gimbal mount system 100 coupled to an extensionarm 1100 that couples the gimbal 102, according to one exampleembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a first end of the extension arm1100 mates with the mounting interface 104 of the gimbal mount system100 while a second end of the extension arm mates with the mountingprotrusion 106 of the gimbal 102. Each respective end of the extensionarm 1100 may be structured to reciprocally mate with the mountinginterface 104 and the mounting protrusion 106. It should be noted thatthe gimbal mount system 100 can couple to any component configured tosecure to the gimbal 102 using the locking mechanism described abovewith regards to FIGS. 8-9. Such components preferably include acommunication/power bus thereby enabling the components tocommunicatively couple the gimbal mount system 100 to the gimbal 102.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used hereinis not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in directphysical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may alsoencompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or arestructured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skilled in the art willappreciate still additional alternative structural and functionaldesigns for camera gimbal mount systems as disclosed from the principlesherein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have beenillustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are not limited to the precise construction and componentsdisclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, whichwill be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in thearrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosedherein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in theappended claims.

1. A gimbal mount system configured to couple to a gimbal, the gimbalconfigured to secure a camera, the gimbal mount system comprising: agimbal mount system body, the gimbal mount system body comprising ahandle; a power source located within the gimbal mount system body; auser interface located on an outer surface of the gimbal mount systembody; a mounting interface located within an end of the gimbal mountsystem body, the mounting interface comprising an opening configured toreceive a reciprocal gimbal mounting protrusion and a locking mechanismconfigured to abut a reciprocal gimbal locking mechanism in a lockedconfiguration, thereby securely coupling the gimbal to the gimbal mountsystem; a communication interface located within a surface of themounting interface and configured to couple to a reciprocalcommunication interface of the gimbal; and a communication bus coupledto the power source, the user interface, and the communicationinterface, the communication bus configured to provide power from thepower source to the gimbal and configured to provide one or moreinstructions based on a user input received via the user interface tothe gimbal.
 2. The gimbal mount system of claim 1, further comprising akickstand configured to protrude from the gimbal mount system body in anextended configuration and configured to fold into the gimbal mountsystem body in a folded configuration.
 3. The gimbal mount system ofclaim 1, further comprising a second communication interface locatedwithin the outer surface of the gimbal mount system body, the secondcommunication interface communicatively coupled to the communication busand configured to couple to one or more of an external power source andan external computing system.
 4. The gimbal mount system of claim 1,wherein the one or more instructions comprises one or more of: poweringthe gimbal one and off, controlling a camera shutter, selecting a cameramode or a gimbal mode, tagging a moment of interest within mediacaptured by the camera, and controlling a pitch or yaw of the gimbal. 5.The gimbal mount system of claim 1, further comprising an adapterconfigured to couple to the gimbal mount system, the adapter comprisinga plurality of protrusions each including a hole and configured tointerlock with a reciprocal plurality of protrusions of a reciprocalmount component each including a hole such that the holes of the adapterand the reciprocal mount component align and allow for the insertion ofa pin, thereby coupling the adapter and the gimbal mount system to thereciprocal mount component.
 6. The gimbal mount system of claim 1,wherein the mounting interface comprises: a first recess of a firstdiameter and a first depth; and a second recess adjacent to the firstrecess, the second recess of a second diameter greater than the firstdiameter and a second depth greater than the first depth.
 7. The gimbalmount system of claim 6, wherein the reciprocal gimbal mountingprotrusion comprises: a first protrusion of substantially the firstdiameter and a first length; and a second protrusion of substantiallythe second diameter and a second length greater than the first length;wherein the distance between the second length and the first length issubstantially equivalent to the distance between the second depth andthe first depth, and wherein the mounting protrusion is configured forinsertion into the mounting interface such that the first protrusion isinserted into the first recess and the second protrusion is insertedinto the second recess.
 8. A gimbal mount system configured to couple toa gimbal, the gimbal mount system comprising: a gimbal mount systembody, the body comprising a handle; a mounting interface located withina distal end of the body, the mounting interface comprising an openingfor receiving a reciprocal mounting protrusion of a gimbal; and alocking collar located at the distal end of the body, the locking collarcomprising an inner opening substantially aligned with the opening ofthe mounting interface such that a surface adjacent to the inner openingof the locking collar is substantially flush with a surface adjacent tothe opening of the mounting interface, the locking collar rotatablycoupled about a surface of the distal end of the body such that rotationof the locking collar in a first direction secures the gimbal to thegimbal mount system and rotation of the locking collar in a seconddirection releases the gimbal from the gimbal mount system.
 9. Thegimbal mount system of claim 8, wherein the mounting interfacecomprises: a first recess of a first diameter and a first depth; and asecond recess adjacent to the first recess, the second recess of asecond diameter greater than the first diameter and a second depthgreater than the first depth.
 10. The gimbal mount system of claim 9,wherein the reciprocal gimbal mounting protrusion comprises: a firstprotrusion of substantially the first diameter and a first length; and asecond protrusion of substantially the second diameter and a secondlength greater than the first length; wherein the distance between thesecond length and the first length is substantially equivalent to thedistance between the second depth and the first depth, and wherein themounting protrusion is configured for insertion into the mountinginterface such that the first protrusion is inserted into the firstrecess and the second protrusion is inserted into the second recess. 11.The gimbal mount system of claim 8, wherein the reciprocal mountingprotrusion comprises padding structures to securely fit the mountingprotrusion within the mounting interface.
 12. The gimbal mount system ofclaim 8, wherein the locking collar further comprises a plurality ofribs protruding from an inner surface of the locking collar, each ribcomprising a rounded detent feature.
 13. The gimbal mount system ofclaim 12, wherein the mounting protrusion further comprises a detentedramp configured for contacting a respective rib, wherein the detentedramp ramps up to a plateau comprising a dimple.
 14. The gimbal mountsystem of claim 13, wherein rotation of the locking collar in the firstdirection causes a rib of the locking collar to slide along itsrespective detented ramp of the mounting protrusion until the roundeddetent feature of the locking collar mates with its respective dimple ofthe mounting protrusion, thereby securing the mounting protrusion withinthe mounting interface.
 15. The gimbal mount system of claim 14, whereinrotation of the locking collar in the second direction displaces arounded detent feature of the locking collar from its respective dimpleof the mounting protrusion, thereby releasing the mounting protrusionfrom the mounting interface.
 16. The gimbal mount system of claim 8,wherein the locking collar can be rotated by an angle between 10 and 180degrees.
 17. The gimbal mount system of claim 8, wherein a communicationinterface is located within a surface of the mounting interface of thegimbal mount system and is configured to couple to a reciprocalcommunication interface of the gimbal.
 18. The gimbal mount system ofclaim 17, wherein the communication interface comprises a suspensionsystem that allows the communication interface to flexibly pivot in oneor more directions.